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According to [[Freud]], the [[psyche]] is at first regulated entirely by the [[pleasure principle]], which seeks to [[experience ]] [[satisfaction]] via a [[hallucinatory]] [[cathexis]] of a [[memory]] of [[time|prior]] [[satisfaction]].

However, the [[subject]] soon discovers that [[hallucination|hallucinating]] does not relieve his [[need]]s, and is thus [[forced ]] "to [[form ]] a conception of the [[real ]] circumstances in the [[external ]] [[world]]."<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. "Formulations on the Two Principles of [[Mental ]] Functioning." SE XII. 215. 1911. p.219.</ref>

A new "[[principle ]] of mental functioning" is thus introduced (the "[[reality principle]]"), which modifies the [[pleasure principle]] and forces the [[subject]] to take more circuitous routes to [[satisfaction]].

Since, however, the ultimate aim of the [[reality principle]] is still the [[satisfaction]] of the [[drive]]s, it can be said that "the [[substitution ]] of the reality principle for the [[pleasure ]] principle implies no deposing of the pleasure principle, but only a safeguarding of it."<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. "Formulations on the Two Principles of Mental Functioning." SE XII. 215. 1911. p.223</ref>

From early on, [[Lacan]] is opposed to what he calls "a naive conception of the reality principle."<ref>[[Lacan, Jacques]]. "Some reflections on the ego." ''Int. J. [[Psycho]]-[[Anal]].'' Vol 34. 1953. pp. 11</ref>

That is, he rejects any account of [[human]] [[development]] based on an unproblematic [[notion ]] of "[[reality]]" as an [[objective ]] and [[self]]-evident given.

He emphasizes [[Freud]]'s [[position ]] that the [[reality principle]] is still ultimately in the serve of the [[pleasure principle]].

<blockquote>"The reality principle is a delayed [[action ]] pleasrue principle."<ref>{{S2}} p.60</ref></blockquote>

[[Lacan]] thus challenges the [[idea ]] that the [[subject]] has access to an infallible means of distinguishing between [[reality]] and [[fantasy]].

<blockquote>"[R]eality isn't jus tthere so that we bump our heads up against the [[false ]] paths along which the functioning of the pleasure principle leads us. In [[truth]], we make reality out of pleasure."<ref>{{S7}} p.225</ref></blockquote>